In association with Hikercentral.com
and Goingoutside.com

Christopher Allen's Outdoor Page

This is my outdoor page that I've made for anyone interested in backpacking and backcountry camping.

The items below are very important to bring.

CAMPING STOVE
Wouldn't it be great if you didn't have to bring fuel for your stove. Well I don't, I have a Trailstove that runs on wood, I just pick up some twigs at my camp site and cook away. I would never consider going back to a gas stove.
 

 
MEDICAL KIT
Hopefully you won't need your first aid kit but chances are that sooner or later you will need it.
 

 
BUG PROTECTION
I tried one of those little things that run on a battery and emit a high frequency sound that mosquitoes can't stand, it didn't work so I'm back to mosquito coils.
 

 
SLEEPING PAD
Bring decent air mattresses for everyone to sleep on. They weigh more than sleeping pads but sleeping on a sleeping pad will drive you crazy.
 

 
SAW
A camp saw is a good idea to bring, they are very light but very useful.
 

 

CATCH ANIMALS WITH A ROLLING SNARE

Pick a spot where animals have an easy time passing by surrounded by natural obstacles where they would have a hard time passing through and where there is a small tree.

Find a piece of wood about an inch in diameter and a few inches long, cut a notch in it.

Find another piece of wood also about an inch in diameter but about a foot long. Cut a notch in this piece of wood too close to one end. Sharpen the other end of this stick, the notches on the two pieces should be such that they fit in each other and can take a good amount of pull along their axis but let go easily if the smaller stick is pushed sideways.

Make a lasso type knot on the string you will use and tie the string to the shorter stick in such a way that the lasso reaches the stick when open.
Bang the sharp end of the longer stick into the ground with a rock.

Tie the rope to the tree at an appropriate height and with an appropriate length of string. You may need to adjust this later to get it right.
Hook the notch of the short stick to the notch of the long stick.

Suspend the loop in the air with a couple of small twigs. That's it, all done.

Check your snares often since an animal may be able to escape, if you want you can attach some type of noise maker that goes off when an animal gets pulled up in the air. It's very important that you beat the animal to death before you take it out of the snare since they will bite you if they get a chance.


Arches National Park

Moab, UT

Arches National Park preserves over two thousand natural sandstone arches, including the world-famous Delicate Arch, in addition to a variety of unique geological resources and formations. In some areas, faulting has exposed millions of years of geologic history.The extraordinary features of the park, including balanced rocks, fins and pinnacles, are highlighted by a striking environment of contrasting colors, landforms and textures.

 

CONTACTS

Email - archinfo@nps.gov

Fax- 435-719-2305

Write to
PO Box 907
Moab, UT 84532-0907

Phone
Visitor Information - (435)719-2299
Visitor Information (TDD) - (435)719-2319
Headquarters - (435)719-2100

TRAVEL BASICS

Operating Hours, Seasons
The Park is open year-round. The visitor center is open daily from 8am to 4:30pm, with extended hours spring through fall. Visitor Center is closed on December 25th.

Getting There
PLANE - Commercial airlines serve Grand Junction, CO and Salt Lake City, UT. By car, these cities are roughly 2 and 4 hours (respectively) away from the park entrance.

CAR - The entrance to Arches is located 5 miles north of Moab along Highway 191.

BUS - Greyhound travels along Interstate 70, making stops at Grand Junction, CO and Green River, UT. Commercial van services operate between Moab and Salt Lake City as well as Grand Junction.

PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION - There is no public transportation to Arches.

Weather & Climate
In summer, June through September, temperatures may exceed 100 degrees Fahrenheit and winter, December through February, temperatures often drop below 32 degrees Fahrenheit. Temperatures may range 50 degrees in a 24-hour period. Very dry! Carry drinking water at all times.

Accessibility
Visitors with mobility impairments can access the visitor center, restrooms throughout the park, Devils Garden Campground site #37, the Park Avenue Viewpoint and the Delicate Arch Viewpoint.

For visitors with hearing impairments, a variety of publications may be obtained at the Visitor Center. Wayside exhibits with illustrations and text on natural and cultural features are situated throughout the Park and in the Vistitor Center. Park Information is also available by TDD phone at (435) 719-2319.

Getting Around
Sightseeing is usually by car, bike or foot.

FEES/PERMITS

Entrance Fee
INDIVIDUAL
$5 for 7 Days

VEHICLE
$10 for 7 Days

WAIVERS

Entrance fee waivers are available to groups when the purpose of their visit is educational rather than recreational.

Permits
FIERY FURNACE
$varies for Day
The Fiery Furnace is a labyrinth of narrow sandstone canyons and fins. To protect fragile resources in the area, permits are required for entry. The cost is $2 for adults; $1 for children six to twelve years old and Golden Age Pass holders. Permits and group sizes are limited. Permits must be obtained in person at the visitor center (they cannot be reserved in advance).

Local Passport
SOUTHEAST UTAH GROUP
$25 for Annual
Good for entrance to Arches, Canyonlands, Hovenweep and Natural Bridges.

CAMPING

Devils Garden
Open All Year
Devils Garden Campground has 52 sites available on a first-come, first-served basis. Facilities include flush toilets and water year-round. Sites are $10 per night. Visitors must pre-register for individual campsites at the Arches Visitor Center between 7:30 and 8:00 a.m., or at the entrance station after 8:00 a.m. The campground fills daily mid-March through October, often by mid-morning. Two sites (tents only) are available for groups of ten or more people. The group sites may be reserved in advance.

LODGING

Sorry.
There is no lodging in Arches. See the "LINKS" section for information on lodging and services in Moab, UT.

FACILITIES

Visitor Centers
ARCHES
Open All Year 8am to 4:30pm (extended hours spring through fall)
Location - The Arches Visitor Center is located along Highway 191, 5 miles north of Moab.
Closures - Closed December 25th.
Special Programs - Park orientation program is shown in the auditorium every half hour.
Exhibits - Museum with exhibits on the park's natural and cultural history. Sales area features books, maps and other publications.
Available Facilities - Restrooms, drinking water.


Some content donated by Hikercentral.com and the National Park Service